This new year is bringing changes. I look forward to talking to more of you in the future, including my newest followers. Welcome to The Blog. :) Although, my look will change along with my name, doesn't mean I'm gone. After all, what else would I rather do than write?

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. There is nothing like decorating a tree after Thanksgiving knowing less than a month later children will awake all over with a smile upon their face. I think it is one of the happiest times of the year, because the heart is lightest when a gift is given. Some people say Christmas or the holidays rather, is not about the gifts, but what if I told you that without them, there would be no holidays.

Thanksgiving is for giving thanks for the food we are given and the people we enjoy it with: The holidays are there to give thanks for life and love.

As a romance author, I know how important love is to a person's life. It could turn even the most stubborn Irishman into a romantic suitor. Okay. Maybe I'm just subjective to the characters in "To Love An Irishman."

To me, a book is a precious gift. There is no better way of telling someone how much you care about them. One of the only books I'd ever received (mostly I buy my own) for Christmas was a leather-bound version of the Bible.

Remember, e-books are electronic. So, this holiday season, remember to give thanks for the gifts you don't wrap with a bow.

What you can win here: An e-book copy of "To Love An Irishman"

Excerpt:

Aveline turned as the last line echoed
back in a man’s voice. Her heart fluttered. “I thought you made it very clear
we should not see or talk to each other—” She halted as the air around her
became thicker. She felt a silent connection to the Irishman.

Twilight settled in around them.

“So I did.” He chuckled, looking toward
the ground. “Something about you strikes odd to me though, cailín.”

She wondered why he thought she was odd.
“Whatever could that be, Mr. O’Devlin, for surely I have not done anything to
upset you.”

She knew she was more headstrong than
most women, but obstinacy does not make a person odd. If anything, he could be
labeled as odd, too. A stubborn man who devotes his life to a farm? Bah!

A frown creased his brow. “Nay.”

His eyes met hers and she felt the glow
of blue fire on her face. “In truth, you have done far more than I ever
expected from you.”

Well,
overcoming an Irishman’s expectations is very difficult indeed. “Did you really think, Mr. O’Devlin, I
would run and hide from you? I am not a coward, if that is what you are saying.”

His eyes widened. “Right, you are not a
coward.” His soft words washed through her. “Ya singing voice is quite
brilliant.”

“I’m glad the fact is now established.”
Maybe he gave a compliment to weaken her. “It is only a voice after all.
Certainly not something to get eager about—”

He pushed her doubts into the dirt. “Nonsense!
You highly underestimate...”

Every word he spoke made her weak at the
knees, so she ignored him and turned toward the wheelbarrow instead. “I should
finish my duties before it is time to wash for supper. The days go by so fast
as of late. It was only this morning when I was helping the brothers feed the
animals—” She bent to place the last item in the wheelbarrow, lost her balance
and fell against the handles. The cart tipped, losing its contents. She fell
backward into his embrace.

Setting her upright,
Mr. O’ Devlin pulled her around, gently moved the hair off her face, and kissed
her full on the mouth.

After all..."When life hands you a farm, just meet a handsome Irishman!"